Complaints against Rao since 2003

In a letter dated April 14, 2003 to Minister in the Ministry  of Finance, Christine Sahadeo, an unnamed office assistant employed at the Estate Management and Develop-ment Company reported that she was the victim of daily sexual molestation and harassment by Uthara Rao, Chairman of the Board of the EMDC. The letters became a source of contention with Opposition, Government and even an Independent Senator bantering over the relevance of the complaints to the Bill. Opposition Senator Robin Montano attempted to read the contents of the letter and others like it from several other females in the Senate yesterday during debate on the Caroni (1975) Ltd and Orange Grove National Company Ltd (Divestment and Business Development) (number 2) Bill 2004.

The letter stated that the complainant was employed by the EMDC but quit after two and a half months due to sexual molestation and harassment by Rao. The letter went on to allege that Rao touched the complainant on her breasts and buttocks, and kissed her on her cheek. He was also reported to have asked her if she wanted tablets to make her breasts larger. The Opposition Senator was not allowed to go any further, as Sahadeo, who piloted the Bill, leapt to her feet and said that the case was currently before the Industrial Court. The Opposition countered that it was not the same case and argued that it has a right to be concerned since the Bill is seeking to put “tremendous power” into the hands of a person they cannot trust.